Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 4717 = T V-19, along with NGC 4716, on 12 Apr 1882. See his description under NGC 4716.

400/500mm - 18" (4/9/05): faint, fairly small, elongated N-S, 0.7'x0.3'. Forms an 0.8' double system with NGC 4716 off the north side. MCG -01-33-022, a low surface brightness edge-on, lies 3.5' S (not noticed).

Notes by Steve Gottlieb